My stepsister tried to steal the prince's hand in marriage, but little did she know I had been

Inside Cuiwei Lane, Xie Jinghan was already waiting.

He was handsome and had an extraordinary demeanor.

Coupled with her overall noble demeanor, she drew everyone's attention.

Most of the people coming and going in Cuiweifang were noble ladies, and they were quite familiar with Xie Jinghan's face.

"It's actually Prince Jing!"

"Would someone like Prince Jing actually come to Cuiwei Lane?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and despite their fear of Xie Jinghan's temperament, they couldn't help but scrutinize him.

Xie Jinghan is known for his cold temperament; who would have thought he would appear in Cuiweifang?

"I heard that Prince Jing's wedding is imminent, and the wedding date was set just yesterday."

This person knows the inside story.

"The second young lady of the Wen family actually has such abilities? I see that her appearance is only above average among the noble ladies in the capital."

Inside the private room, Wen Yitong's expression stiffened upon hearing her name called.

The change in her expression was noticed by Chen Che, who was standing to the side.

Chen Che's eyes were dark and unfathomable. He came from a prestigious family, but it was a low-ranking one. The total number of servants in the entire Chen family was probably less than the number of servants who served Wen Yitong.

Previously, everyone thought that he had gotten a marriage with Wen Shuyao was a windfall, but he didn't expect that even greater blessings were yet to come!

—Wen Yitong was also interested in him, and even deliberately orchestrated the drowning incident, forcing him to marry her.

He had his own agenda when he fell into the water that day. Although Wen Shuyao was the eldest daughter of the main wife, her birth mother died early and she was not favored in the mansion. Compared with Wen Yitong, who was pampered and spoiled, she was far inferior.

If he could marry Wen Yitong, both the Wen State Duke's Mansion and the Zhang State Duke's Mansion would become helpful to his career.

Therefore, Chen Che hesitated for only a moment before jumping into the water and rescuing Wen Yitong.

The marriage naturally changed to Wen Yitong.

He accompanied Wen Yitong out today to help her choose jewelry.

You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub; before marriage, he always tries to please his wife.

Unexpectedly, just by buying some jewelry, I heard the name Wen Yitong.

What he was more worried about was that Wen Yitong would regret it.

Many thoughts raced through Chen Che's mind, but he didn't show them on his face at all.

Wen Yitong was unaware that the changes in her expression had already been noticed by Chen Che.

The ladies outside were still gossiping.

"You are unaware of this, but the Princess Consort of Jing has already been replaced! Haven't you heard the rumors circulating about the Duke of Wen's residence a few days ago?"

Upon hearing this, those forgotten memories immediately resurfaced.

"That's right! Miss Wen is engaged to the Chen family. Doesn't this make the eldest daughter of the Wen family, who is now married to Prince Jing, the eldest daughter of the Wen family?"

"Speaking of Miss Wen, I saw her at the palace banquet that day. She is beautiful and unforgettable. With such looks, it's no wonder that Prince Jing fell for her!"

"Faced with such a beauty, even King Jing could only melt into tenderness!"

"That's right! Who has ever seen Prince Jing come to a jewelry shop? I've practically watched Prince Jing grow up, but I've never seen him treat a woman like this!"

Hearing these words, Wen Yitong felt a burning pain on her face.

It's not just these ladies who haven't seen it before.

She had been married to Xie Jinghan for several years and had never received such treatment before.

Xie Jinghan had barely even entered her boudoir a few times.

Why?

Why would Wen Shuyao allow him to make exceptions again and again?

Her face was extremely pale, and she was completely unaware of the coldness that flashed in Chen Che's eyes.

"King Jing and his men have arrived!"

"really……"

Hearing suppressed excitement outside, Wen Yitong, clinging to her last glimmer of hope, looked down through the latticed window of the private room.

Xie Jinghan could wait for any woman, but not Wen Shuyao!

What's so great about Wen Shuyao?

However, the person who entered Cuiweifang was none other than Wen Shuyao, whom she hated to the bone and was insanely jealous of.

Wen Shuyao came to Cuiwei Fang alone. Old Madam Chu was really curious about Madam Wen's secret and was already waiting in Zuixiang Tower, just waiting for Granny Yun to bring back a message.

Even in the bustling and chaotic Cuiweifang, Wen Shuyao still spotted Xie Jinghan at a glance.

Among the elegantly dressed ladies, Xie Jinghan, exuding a cold and aloof aura, seemed quite out of place.

When Wen Shuyao saw Xie Jinghan, a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.

"Greetings, Your Highness..."

Just as she was about to bow, Xie Jinghan held her hands.

"No need to be polite."

Xie Jinghan simply lifted his hand slightly and then released it.

But his actions were extremely rare in everyone's eyes.

It was common knowledge that King Jing was not interested in women. When had he ever been so considerate to women?

It should be noted that when the Northern Di princess tried to seduce him with her body, she only ended up being slapped out of the camp by Xie Jinghan.

Seeing the commotion below, Wen Yitong gripped the jade hairpin tightly in her hand.

Why?

Such malicious gazes are not uncommon.

Wen Shuyao noticed it, and so did Xie Jinghan.

Despite his high position, Xie Jinghan was not ignorant of everything.

He knew that even though he was surrounded by rumors and gossip, there were still countless people who wanted the position of Princess Jing.

Since he was going to marry Wen Shuyao, even though their relationship was just a business collaboration, he would always give Wen Shuyao the respect she deserved in public.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wen Shuyao didn't hesitate. As Xie Jinghan withdrew his hand, she gently tugged at his sleeve.

In an instant, the distance between the two closed.

"Your Highness chose to meet me at Cuiwei Lane today, surely because there is news of some assassins here?"

Wen Shuyao carefully considered that Xie Jinghan was definitely not someone who would be troubled by personal feelings.

However, Xie Jinghan shook his head at this moment.

What he said surprised her even more.

"Cuiweifang recently received a new batch of jewelry of good quality. If you take a fancy to anything, have someone put it on the bill of Prince Jing's residence."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shuyao's beautiful peach blossom eyes widened.

She couldn't believe those words came from Xie Jinghan's mouth.

As if sensing her surprise, Xie Jinghan coughed lightly, feeling uneasy for the first time in his life.

He explained, "After the marriage, I will go to the border."

The Empress Dowager said that a woman needs her husband's company, but he was busy with military affairs and could not provide that, so he could only make up for it in other ways.

He couldn't let Wen Shuyao risk her life to do things for him, only to suffer the gossip in the capital at the same time.

Words can be sharp arrows that wound.

Wen Shuyao blinked, and it took her a while to realize—this was Xie Jinghan's compensation.

However, she liked this compensation!

Such compensation in real money is more substantial than anything else!

As Wen Shuyao thought of this, her smile became even more genuine.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely investigate that tattoo matter thoroughly for you!"